Doosan Winger Lee Han-sol Reclaims 'Best 7' Title Following Devastating Knee Injury

The left wing position in professional handball is unforgiving. It demands explosive acceleration, sharp cutting angles, and the ability to launch into the air while absorbing physical contact from towering defenders. When Doosan Handball Club's veteran winger Lee Han-sol ruptured his cruciate ligament shortly after the 2022-2023 season, many observers quietly assumed his elite career was over.[1][3]

Instead, the 34-year-old has authored one of the most remarkable comeback stories in the sport. At the conclusion of the 2025-2026 Shinhan SOL Bank Handball H League season this month, Lee was officially crowned the league's "Best 7 Left Wing," fully reclaiming the title he lost to injury three years ago.[1]

Lee's statistical output this season defied the typical aging curve for a post-surgery winger. He amassed 87 total goals across the campaign, demonstrating a fully restored offensive arsenal. His tally included 15 goals from the wing, 19 fast-break conversions, 27 successful 7-meter penalty throws, and 15 assists.[1][3]

The road back to the podium was paved with grueling rehabilitation. Following his initial Best 7 selection in 2023, Lee went under the knife for the cruciate ligament tear, enduring a year of painful recovery. This was not his first major medical hurdle; in 2019, a severe Achilles injury pushed him to the brink of retirement before teammates convinced him to attempt a return.[1]

His return to the court began during the 2024-2025 season, where he exploded for 86 goals and helped Doosan secure their historic 10th consecutive league championship. He was named the Championship Match MVP that year, but the positional Best 7 award eluded him due to the breakout performance of Chungnam Provincial Government's Oh Hwang-je.[1][4]

This year, however, the narrative shifted. The 2025-2026 season proved uniquely challenging for Doosan, a traditional powerhouse managed by legendary coach Yoon Kyung-shin. The squad was decimated by a string of injuries to key starters, forcing them into a fierce battle just to secure fourth place in the regular league standings.[1][2]

While Incheon City Corporation ultimately captured the integrated championship—breaking Doosan's decade-long monopoly—Lee Han-sol emerged as the stabilizing force for his depleted team. Despite the roster gaps, Doosan recorded 105 fast-break goals, the second-highest mark in the league behind only the champions.[1]

Lee was the undisputed vanguard of that high-speed transition offense. Sprinting off the court faster than players a decade his junior, he consistently beat defenders down the floor. His veteran composure also stabilized Doosan's half-court sets, where he took charge of the team's 7-meter penalty duties with clinical precision.[1][3]

The competition for the left wing honor was fierce. With last year's winner Oh Hwang-je sidelined by his own injury this season, a power vacuum opened up. Lee had to fend off younger, highly productive rivals, including SK Hawks' Jang Dong-hyun, who netted 67 goals, and Hanam City Hall's Kim Ji-hoon, who posted an impressive 85 goals.[1]

Ultimately, the selection committee rewarded Lee's blend of high-volume scoring, fast-break efficiency, and leadership under pressure. Analysts noted that his ability to read the game and anticipate defensive rotations allowed him to compensate for any fractional loss of raw speed following his knee reconstruction.[1][3]

For the South Korean handball community, Lee's triumph is being celebrated as a victory for modern sports medicine and sheer psychological tenacity. In a league increasingly defined by physical power and youth, the 11-year professional proved that tactical intelligence and rigorous rehabilitation can still command the court.[1]